Seemingly Ordinary

Christy Dalke has had the most incredible life for the last five years. A major life change led her to: a) Moving across the nation; b) Getting a Ph. D.; c) Switching careers; d) Dating someone great; and e) Winning a prize in a dance competition.  Today, we’re mostly focusing on dance competition because it’s such an incredible story of a person over age 30 not just taking on something brand new,...

            Italy. Japan. Mexico. The United Kingdom. Greece. Switzerland. Austria. The Czech Republic. Netherlands. France. Iceland. Canada. Taiwan. The Philippines. Thailand. Laos. Cambodia. Kenzie Grimm traveled to 18 nations all by the time she was 23 years old! And she did it all in a very affordable way! Today, we discuss how you can add travel and adventure to your life—and do so on a colle...

Kari Kennedy Ashley co-leads a grief ministry. For anyone who has ever lost someone, this episode has a lot of helpful information. Find her at smallpiecesofjoy.wordpress.com. (This episode was recorded on June 22, 2021.)

Emily Mushinski loves to dance and travel. In previous episodes (#15 and #23), I asked her about both because she’s led a thrilling life. She’s danced professionally in Hungary, lived in Panama, traveled to the jungle, and met snakes and monkeys. She went to college in the The Netherlands, and traveled to Ethiopia and India.  But what is  BlinkVerse?  It's an amazing idea. Find out! (This epi...

Reed Wilkinson, 21,  was mostly a nonreader in high school--but since then, he's explored everything from brilliant philosophers (Marcus Aurelius) to self-growth (Dr. Jordan Peterson); from ancient politics (Plato and Aristotle) to religion ("The Case for Christ," by Lee Strobel and "Terror of Demons" by Kennedy Hall). But the conversation really heats up when we talk abou...

Dan and Rachel approached love and marriage in a fascinating way. Rock-solid, easygoing, and hard working people, their story and approach to life  is deeply inspiring.  (This episode was recorded July 19, 2020.)

Lee Ann Ochs is the co-owner of Level-Up STEM KC, a business that helps students and schools improve their STEM skills. A mom, teacher, and entrepreneur, Lee Ann helps people all day long, on multiple levels. This episode is primarily about education, and the innovative ways Lee Ann's business helps it along. (This episode was recorded on July 17, 2020.)

Andy Flattery is the owner of Simple Wealth Planning. He helps young and affluent families in the earlier stages of wealth building.  He also hosts the podcast, The Reformed Financial Advisor , and contributes to two more: Catholic Money Mastermind and the Moonlight Graham Show. We have a long-ranging discussion about all things personal finance. (This episode was recorded July 14, 2021.)

Matt Surface is a national level bodybuilder. He also runs his own business as a full-time personal trainer. He helps real people get real results. Warning: his dedication and enthusiasm are contagious. (This episode was recorded June 18, 2021.)

Lucia Brancato is an  event planner and an English teacher. Her hobbies include creative writing and travel. There’s something about Lucia that gets your attention. Maybe it’s her high standards. Maybe it’s her crystal-clear thinking. When you hear from her, you’re going to realize instantly that you are speaking with a very organized, hard-working person with a kind heart. (This episode was recor...

If you've ever wanted an alternative to life's prescribed choices, this episode is for you. Before she decided to be with her kids full time, Emily Wobker was a beloved high school teacher at a very demanding school, and she taught a class that a lot of schools don’t even offer—but they really should. She taught World War II and Holocaust, as well as many religion classes. Starting in 20...

Fasting for five days. Living for a year in a midwestern city without a car. Saving 70 to 95% of his income on a teacher's salary. Getting jacked, and then doing an Ironman. Tyler does experiments that some would call crazy...that even he calls crazy. But he  gets results! And he teaches many others to do the same. Go wild with Tyler!   (This episode was recorded July 2, 2020.)

Erin Forbes is the author of the Fire and Ice Trilogy , a fantasy trilogy which is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. Her books are loved internationally--and she finished her first novel when was only 16! Erin is also a graphic designer, and gives advice to aspiring authors on Instagram. (This episode was recorded June 12, 2021.) 

Sarah and William Wright host The Playwrights,  a podcast about famous authors and their stage works. Also, Sarah teaches drama and puts on the plays at St. James Academy, while William teaches Social Studies and puts on the plays at St. Michael the Archangel High School. They married in 2018. We discuss their lives, why they got into theatre, what their philosophy of good dramas, comedies, and mu...

Peter King just completed his first year at St. Thomas Aquanis College in California. His degree is in the arts. He writes, acts, sings, lifts weights, and has a ton of enthusiasm for all of these things. Today, we’re going to talk about his life in the arts, fitness, and what it’s like to move 2,000 miles away from home and pursue a brand new life. (This episode was recorded May 25, 2021.)

Dr. Shane Rapp became the principal of St. James Academy at the age of 29. The first four years had their challenges--and then 2020 hit.  We discuss this year's victories, challenges, the public's reaction mixed reactions, and much more. But my favorite parts were about Dr. Rapp's childhood, and what got him into teaching in the first place!  Dr. Rapp also outlines his vision for th...

Allie Stulzsatz is an entrepreneur from an entrepreneurial family . She is also a beloved teacher, a great wife and mom, and a great cookie artist! Today, we discuss business, family, and more. Enjoy!  (This episode was recorded on July 8, 2020.)

College life was weird from 2020-21, but many students were not only on campus, they did some really cool things, like travel abroad and create communities of deep friendships. In this inspiring episode Madeline Joerger, 20, grows, acts freely, and inspires others to unleash all of the love in their hearts.  This episode was recorded on May 20, 2021.

My friends Sean & Jamie Cailteux are healthcare workers, and the parents of three kids, Claire, Josie, and an unborn baby boy!  I’ve interviewed Sean before. He’s a super-fit chiropractor, and he’s my go-to guy when it comes to all things health and fitness. Jamie Cailteux is a nurse and perhaps the most avid reader I know—and that is saying a lot. I am not sure how many books she goes through...

Amber Hellwig is the Director of Admissions at St. James Academy. We discuss her life story, and our in-person '20-21 school year, and the benefits and  burdens that went with it.

Sammy Kopecky became the sole proprietor of profitable and professional photography business as a high school student. She’s done senior portraits, special events—and even was trusted enough to be the photographer for a newlywed couple. You can find her at Kopecky photography, at samanthakopeckyphotography.com.  

            Matthew Newkirk is only 18, and yet he is an accomplished singer, actor, sports announcer, performer, and student. His podcast, available on multiple platforms including iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms, is The Young Money Podcast.             This is a story about a person who works extremely hard at what he loves, which is performing and announcing. It’s also the story of a guy w...

Whenever I see happy, healthy, accomplished kids, I always wonder how the parents did it. In this episode, Jerry and Lucy Tujague, two very accomplished people, tell fascinating and helpful family stories.

             Antionette Ishmael is a lifelong teacher. She’s taught many different kinds of English, speech, debate, and theatre. She’s helped put on plays, musicals, concerts. Her debate /forensics teams have often come in first in the state/local tournaments.             She’s also a published author! Check out her stories in “Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother’s Soul,” “Chocolate for a Woman...

Emily was a beloved high school teacher at a very demanding school before she became a full-time mom of six children. I've always been fascinated by how great parents raise cheerful kids. Today, Emily explains it all: from romance  to engagement to marriage to baby boom. What does it take to raise awesome children? Emily is too modest to say she knows. Even so, enjoy!